Daniel Cormier, Derrick Lewis in talks for UFC 230

The UFC has opened discussions regarding a heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and Derrick Lewis to headline UFC 230 on Nov. 3 in New York, according to multiple sources.

If the championship bout is finalized, it would be a significant addition to the UFC’s next pay-per-view. Lewis (21-5), of Houston, is a hot commodity following his stunning, come-from-behind knockout over Alexander Volkov at UFC 229 in Las Vegas.

The UFC has been looking for a high-profile title fight to headline next month’s event, and Lewis earned a ton of notoriety from Saturday’s performance. The bout is not a done deal, though, and certain hurdles still have to be cleared.

Former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones said he doesn’t care to fight archrival Daniel Cormier a third time, saying, “I already have all the marbles when it comes to Daniel Cormier.”

Cormier (21-1), who trains out of San Jose, California, is the UFC’s defending heavyweight and light heavyweight champion. His next heavyweight defense was expected to come against Brock Lesnar next year, but the UFC wants to beef up its New York event with a two-weight champion, taking on a surging heavyweight who has won nine of his past 10.

A non-title lightweight fight between Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier is currently scheduled to co-headline the Nov. 3 card, which will mark the UFC’s third event at Madison Square Garden.